Passing (2021) Was Confusing!
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Passing is a 2021 black-and-white romantic drama film written, produced, and directed by Rebecca Hall in her feature directorial debut. It is based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, and its title refers to African-Americans who had skin color light enough to be perceived as white, referred to as "passing".The film stars Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, Bill Camp, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, and Alexander Skarsgård.
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What I found interesting was how the black males of the film were always complaining about racism and the white man, but were so quick to celebrate the white mans woman… very true to today as well.
2021 black men do it today
That’s why I felt like this movie was disingenuous with ulterior motives. Not feeling it at all.
@@kmc1994 many don't know the writer she trying to say she black or the black community saying she is black when she is not she is way more white when her dad I think is biracial and mom white which is more white, or her mom biracial and dad is white which is still more white smh ...the writer made the movie to make black bucks
@@kmc1994 I agree completely. This movie was completely disingenuous. They knew the topic would draw in views but didn’t even try with the story, imo.
And the part when she asked her husband if Clare (the girl who was supposed to be passing) was attractive and he replied, “I like my woman DARK” ……… dark? DARK WHERE? I wish they would’ve talked more about the women both being mixed and racism defaulting them to black, when they are both mixed not black, and why being white is survival but it’s more fun to occupy black spaces and be celebrated for your whiteness.
@@wildsiempre3716 exactly!! And it makes sense that this was written by a white woman because it was super out of touch and so many holes ….
I like the subtle choices made in this movie.. Irene voice. It's a voice and accent that was very prevalent among upper class black women in the north. They actually were taught to speak that way at HBCU. Also her marriage. Darker Successful black men were expected to wed light skinned women and they were expected to fullfil their place in society. In ways that often beneath their educations. Her husband is just a little color struck. I also love that the actresses are cast so that the audience can tell they are black, but the white people around them can't. We are seeing them with a black gaze. It's also a time when black professionals were leaving America for Europe and south America. I'm glad they showed that
wow! this is such a great and educated comment! learned a lot, thank you!
I now I understand cause when I was watching I was like « who are they fooling I can smell the black blood through the screen » but yeah now that you put it this way
Wow thank u for this information! I can’t wait to watch it again.
@@creolito9600 not smell it🤣🤣🤣
As seeing there was much backlash about this, you said it best!!!
They’re both bad people and both passing.
Clare was living a lie externally but she was honest with herself. She knew she was an immoral person who would “hurt anyone to get what she wants.”
Irene seemed honest on the surface, but was lying to herself about her sexuality - and she was colorist toward other black people and using her privilege to pass occasionally - but judging Clare for doing it permanently.
Why were they bad people? 🤔
How are they bad ppl?
When Irene dropped the "ugly" heirloom, while staring at Clare, and said she realized she could only rid herself of it by breaking it, I knew Clare was doomed. It was a push.
Wow! That’s good! There was so much foreshadowing in this movie
Noooo- I just watch the movie again. You think Irene deliberately killed Clare?
@@tdperrychatham absolutely. I almost thought the husband was falling for her. Clare was trying to take her life
It was her arm over there when Clair fell
I agree, I think she pushed her as well. The woman was taking over her life.
There was a crack in ceiling that Irene and her husband would stare at while lying down, while Irene watched this crack in the ceiling spread, which is reference of the way she viewed her life since Claire entered her life... My opinion!!🤔
Great observation 💕
Love this! Very insightful. 👌👌👌
Yyaaaassss!!! And early in the film when Irene tells hubby about Clare, he says to avoid Clare because she's the type if you give her an inch she'll take a mile. So from the start their instincts were that Clare would just try to take over if they let her into their lives.
The 15 seconds before the fall Claire and Irene look at each other almost like signals of "Girl this is it. You know what to do" It was almost as if they were saying goodbye through their eyes.
I agree!! They knew the end had come to an end. I think Irene were protecting Clare by removing her from this life.
@@tdperrychatham really. I thought it was out of jealousy because of her husband.
The book leans more towards her jumping vs being pushed by either person...
After the fall (what is said in the book), Claire had a slight smile, showing a sign of relief on her face when she was on the ground...
She didn't scream on the way down...
She made a choice to exit...
Irene was stuck because she was kinda relishing in the fact of her "issue" actually being gone for a split second before it actually kicked in; she is dead, then she reacted...
My favorite part is when Tessa was laughing at the husband saying his wife was getting dark.
I laugh hard too when he said he starts call her Nig. Lol 😂 the joke was on him
@@Debbiediamond0310 sure was lol.
It also seemed that Irene tried to prevent Claire from tanning in the sun when Irene laid a blanket over Claire in the backyard.
LOL, the joke was on him!
@@missprissyrainbow wow i just caught that, i was more focused on the relationship between her and her Maid,.. it seemed odd, like a white lady who had a slave or something, but the maid's more receptive to Claire, it was an interesting Dichotomy
I never got a lovers vibe from Irene or Claire. It was more of a low key envy or want to be like the other, but not admitting it to themselves as individuals (at least not for Irene). I don't think they were lusting for one another in a sexual way. They were secretly, and desperately, longing for the lives they each led. It was all an internal struggle.
It can be both things at the same time
That hand grab tho
Hand grab revealed a lot tho
And claire was looking at Irene's lips alot 🤣
exactly
I think Irene was passing because there were certain things that stood out to me in this movie.
1)The camera never left Irene, it only followed her and we got only her perspective as a victim of Claire, victim of racism, victim of mysogny.
2)Her maid was a dark skin black woman. For many dark skin black women in those times, marrying a physician and having servants would have been far out of reach. Interesting her husband chose her and found himself enamored in Claire a women who seemed even closer to whiteness than his wife. I remember the comment Claire made to her about where she was able to find the maid and Irene said ‘it’s not like that…’ like was this dark skin black woman a slave or a former slave? As a light skin black woman Irene got a lot of privileges that dark skin black women were not allowed to have.
3)Irene was able to shift blame of the “fall” onto Claire. She fell. Idk if she was a dark skinned black woman they would have taken her account of events. She was able to tell the police the course of events and they automatically believed her…hmm…interesting movie.
Also, I think her husband always knew Claire was passing. He just wanted the farce to keep up. Because the way he told Claire to her face what he would do if she were black. It’s like as long as they both did not acknowledge it…her blackness did not exist. I think in a twisted way he loved her still. Because when she died the man was devastated. I think he was more angry that she was mingling with black men and was cheating on him.
Claire was a suffocated woman who had been passing for so long. Her life with a white husband and white child was not enough. When she reconnected with Irene it was life and breath to her. She was resolved to face the consequences of her actions. She knew she hurt her husband but her being able to breath was more important in the moment.
I enjoyed the old school Film Noir style.
Great comment. I’d like to respond to your comments as I have some opinions. The reason why I think Brian was attracted to Clare is because BM always want to have proximity to power WM have. In society. They cannot have that power because even though they are males, they are black. So to relish in that power they will pair off with women who are closest to white proximity as possible even though they are pro black.
It was ALOT of well to do black men in Harlem during that time period
I agree the husband knew and believe other whites knew or know in real life as well. At least some know. You have to understand they know The people who are passing are part white. Maybe they feel they are more white or that it is society that is making people have to choose. Also some blacks can’t tell who is passing. Simple. Stop making it so racial. My own son came home in 6th grade and asked if we were black. He then asked one by one what each of his friends were. Race is taught. Stop saying people just know because it’s not true at all.
Ooo that point about the husband 👏🏼
I agree with your last statement. Claire even mentioned how she had no morals like Irene and would do anything to get what she wants.
I think that it was intentional for Clair to look washed out and unnatural so that the audience never has the opportunity to forget that she is passing.
My impression of the black and white was that the white people never see features cause they are so fixated on skin color only. Thats why Claire's African features are not addressed, they only see the color of skin and hair.
I thought Tessa did well too. I didn’t get any sexual tension btwn the women (until you pointed it out). I felt like they had “girl crushes” on each other; a deep admiration, borderline envy of each other’s “happiness” although they both were just passing for happy.
I was getting Boo I’ve Misses Youuuuu! 😂 That letter, the way Claire caressed her, gently kisses her, the way Irene grabbed her hand, covered her legs up when she was sitting with the maid! It always looked like they were a step away from a throwdown! 😂The constant jealousy from Irene 👀 Then again it could go your route also?! MAYBE We need to read the the book😭
@@StruggleReviewzTV I’m thinking you’re right!
Yes I agree
Haven't seen the film but the question seems to be there in the book. Or if the attraction was simply a feeling of wanting to be one another.
I know of junior high girls foing this, but growing out of it
I don’t know how these two women could pass, they looked liked Black women with light complexions. How Claire’s husband thought she was white is beyond me. If I pass these two women on the street I would have never thought they were white and that in itself threw me off. I think this movie did a great job of the constant inner turmoil bi-racial people must experience. Inner turmoil of two bi-racial women, a play on “Imitation Of Life”.
Neither of them could pass 😂 I just decided to let it go because they were pushing so hard!
Most people passed back then as not black
True
I made a similar comment on another video, in reality neither of them could've actually passed for white in that time period.
Technically someone who could pass is Rashida Jones...she might even have been more believable in the role of Claire in my opinion.
@@StruggleReviewzTV Way too hard. The blond wig didn't make it any better. 🤣
I feel like Rene was passing for straight and she was in love with Clare but she couldn’t act on her feelings because they were both married with families of their own. And Clare was passing for a white woman for the luxury but she later wished she could just pass for black because that’s were she felt most at home. They both were infatuated with each other’s lives and that’s probably what sparked their little flirtatious romance. Later on in the movie though Rene became jealous of Clare because she saw how easy it was for her to pass so freely between the white and black community and it also became unbearable for her to see Clare be flirtatious with anyone other than herself. She was obsessed in a way. And that’s what I believe led her to unconsciously push Clare out of the window because in her mind her life would be easier without Clare in it.
You did a great breakdown. The word “passing” stood for more than color. Let’s watch it again and look for the different kind of “passing “
@@Debbiediamond0310 Thank you. I recently picked up the novel as well so I can’t wait to read it and see how it defers from the film.
I think the obsession with working both ways. Claire's letter sounded like one of the old lover and when she talked about how she kept going back to the post office to the point where people thought she was a woman who got ditched by her lover. That was very telling
Agreed, but I think Clare jumped. No screaming, and knew she would do something extreme if found out, and I think Irene knew John was coming.
@Blue Plumbob Definitely he was in the closet.
I think Irene was more “modern “ than her times and her husband,children,maid, others couldn’t respect that. Everyone just kind down played anything she tried to say or do. I think Irene got along so well with the white friend because he was passing too( as straight man) and actually respected Irene. They have very deep relationship, whereas as the husband kind of view her more as “trophy” that didn’t have any thoughts and feelings. He didn’t value her thoughts on how to raised the children, he questioned her about what she knows about Sweden in very a mean way, that even her friend had to checked him. I think he just want a wife who would play the role and make him look good and Irene was ok with it at first but as time with on she she hated her life. Then there’s Claire a women who was welling and able to play any role. She was very appealing because she was able to turn off her better judgment and feelings , in order to live a good life. She is a good example of securing the 💰 by any means.😂😂😂😂
She most definitely pushed her and planned it. A couple of minutes before the murder watch how Irene flicks her cigarette out the window and watches it fall to the ground below. It's a subtle way for the director to let us know what she was planning. Also Irene seemed more the one who was interested in passing. Claire had been there and knew it wasn't the move to make. Claire wanted to be back amongst her people. If Irene was so comfortable with who she was then why even go to that hotel and have her day of passing? I've watched it at least four times and get something deeper each time I've watched it. And Irene's husband was cheating with Claire. There was one scene where Claire left a party early and Irene's husband had to work late. They were fooling around. Very deep movie! Also, CLAIRE KNEW IRENE TOLD HER HUSBAND. Look at how Claire looked at Irene when her husband was entering the party. She was really saying "You told him" because remember Irene asked Claire "What would you do if your husband ever found out?" And Claire said "Move to Harlem with you." Irene couldn't stand the thought of that so Claire had to go!
This is what makes the most sense to me. Thank you! The cigarette part, the way she looks at Claire when she sees her with her husband, everything you said! I saw someone else point out when Irene was hosting the party and she dropped the heirloom on the floor and she said something like “the only way to get rid of the ugly thing was to break it” while looking directly at Claire as she stood closely to Brian! I’m sorry there are way too many breadcrumbs to ignore!
Claire never screamed. That suggests to me the fall was under Claire’s volition. If either Irene or Claire’s husband had pushed her Claire would have screamed. I also thought that Irene was sexually attracted to Claire and could not consciously accept or act upon the attraction so she lashed out (reaction formation) or attempted to break contact with Claire in hopes of suppressing her desires. I felt like both Claire and Irene were living “passing” lives for different reasons. Very good review, btw, and I agree with you on just about everything especially that it was very powerful to leave so much unresolved. Tessa and Ruth get big props from me on performances.
Had to come back because I forgot about the brother: Andre, Andre, Andre. Been a fan of his acting since The Nick. Very thorough and equally underrated actor. Solid performance as well. Would love to see him and my home boy, Jeffrey Wright go head to head in something deep and substantive some day.
You have given me food for thought as it relates to Claire not screaming as she fell. You make a very valid point.
DAMN POINT WELL MADE. You are so right if she was pushed intentionally she would have screamed anyone would cuz it's unexpected
Well said!
Clare jumped and knew she was going to do something extreme "if found out". Irene asked her what would you do if you were found out?, I think Irene set her up though, she made sure her husband would find out.
Outstanding commentary! Much appreciated sir!
*Clare fell out of the Window when she stepped back.* Safety was NOT a priority when they designed that building. *The Window was as Tall & Wide as a Doorway.* All she did was step back and she fell. *NO ONE PUSHED CLARE.* Some of you think that because you saw Irene's hand from when she tried to BLOCK Clare's husband _(protect Clare)_ from getting to her during his Fury, like the other lady was. He was already warned that there were more of them than him in there so back off. *Who knew the poor thing would step back* from Fear when *_her Husband lunged at her causing her to Fall._* Irene had NOTHING to do with that. She was still in total shock; crying while being consoled by her Husband. It all happened so fast and left her frozen in shock, fear, and disbelief just like in the beginning of the Movie when she saw that Guy passed out lying on the Sidewalk receiving help and she Froze in Fear & looked Traumatized.
_I wish a back story about her was added that could've told us why she reacts this way initially when something traumatic happens to someone._
This is 💯.
I agree. Nobody pushed claire and she didn't commit suicide. When her husband was yelling at her and coming her she stepped back. Irene tried to intervene between her husband and claire. Claire stepped back and unfortunately stepped back too far and ended up falling to her death. Irene i do believe was just in shock over what happened because while she may have told the husband or may have told someone else to tell himthat he was married to a black woman she didn't anticipate claire dying that night like that. Everything just happened so fast once the husband came in to the building and apartment.
when claire said "im dangerous, i'll do anything to get what i want" or something like that, that worried me and Irene... that made me think she was sleeping with Irenes husband. I dont think she pushed her but i think claire moved over by the window because she planned to jump. Her face looked like, the jig is up girl im out. I do however think Irene was happy and sad that she's gone.
I would have been done with Claire when she said, she would do anything to get what she wants. That conversation would have ended my relationship with Claire
Same! Lol that was SO strange to me.
That part!! 🙅🏾♀️ I was thinking she was about to take her life/husband/family!
Never could I hear someone say that and not immediately start side eyeing them.
I think that’s why she pushed her
I was so relieved at the end. Claire had to go!
Great review!
My opinions:
1. I think Irene was jealous of Clare while Clare just wanted to have it all ( be rich, be black, but able to do what she wanted)
2. I think Irene regrets not choosing to pass
3. I don’t think Brian and Clare were having an affair I think Irene was just loosing her mind and Clare is flirting with everyone
4. I think Irene wanted Clare out of her life by any means but I don’t think she intentionally pushed her out the window. I believe it was an accident and that Irene was trying to move Clare away from John but also Clare was accepting her “fate “ and let herself fall.
Thank You !
1q
I agree though I sense Irene wanted Claire's white access to class and luxury while Claire wanted Irene's access to the vibrant Black Harlem she left years ago for white privilege and security. Mutual jealousy society.
Your Intro monologue was everything! Here for the review! I think Clare and Irene had a very imitate fondness of each other growing up... the attraction was there. " wild desire"~~~
I have to watch the movie again. I thought Claire just committed suicide. She knew her husband knew the truth, and she did not want to deal with the consequences. Claire was married to a racist, so she knew he would probably kill her and disown their daughter.
Omg that long scary insane stare Claire gave Irene in the restaurant 😱
Irene said, "Oh you wanna pass? Pass by my man 1 more time & you 'gone be passing away"
Honestly I think Claire made her realize things that bothered her for awhile and she's basically having a breakdown.
Both ladies were passing. Rene passively passed when she was shopping & at the restaurant where as Claire actively and intentionally passed. Their level of passing also mirrored their approach in life & personalities well. Rene was like the wallflower while Claire was the "life of the party".
Yessss! I so agree!
I did get a romance vibe from Claire and Irene. I feel like Irene was not only jealous of Claire but fell in love with the same things she hated her for. She envied how brave, courageous, enchanting, and soulful Claire was. She wanted to be like Claire, who was a seductress who could capture and fool a rich white man for years. No matter how unsafe, Claire was brave enough to do it. But while she envied Claire, she also found herself falling for her charm, just the same as black/white men. Which just made it worse. I also think the dude she hung out with was gay and was jealous of Claire too. That's why they were both talking about her at the function.
You are right. The white character was based on a white guy from that time period who was very much in the Harlem world, married, but gay and had a string of male black lovers....
@@kaiacane3354 damn. I thought it was weird that he was so judgemental of claire unlike every man who met her and were captivated.
Am I the only one who thought Irene may have been struggling with depression? Prior to running into Clare. She was sleeping a lot during the day, sleeping enough that her kids assumed she would just go back to sleep during the day and she had a bottle of weird medicine next to her one day when she kind of was in and out of it.
This is what I said! Some manic displays.
I need to go back and finish this....when she gave her hubby the go head for them to go out alone... I was done. I could see a train wreck coming. lol
I think there was… something or used to be something between Irene and Claire. In the beginning in the hotel room, Claire asked Irene to help with her dress. If you remember, when Irene unbuttoned or unzipped her dress there was a pause. She was looking at her back and neck. My husband also noticed it right away and questioned if they used to be together. I think they were friends who had an attraction butfelt like they couldn’t take it beyond that at the time.
Yes! There were a lot of subtle moments here but I feel like they had history.
I thought so too but there was a scene where they talked about how they wished they were more close when young as if they were never good friends in the past. But i mean you don't have to be good friends with a person to long for them
There are a lot of layers to this movie. But if you pay close attention to what is said at a discreet and unnoticed conversation between certain characters at times you can put the pieces together. Irene was certainly a Caucasian woman passing for Negro. Remember when she had the conversation with the Caucasian male friend and she stated to him that it was much harder for a Caucasian to pass as a Negro than the other way around. Irene was much more concerned than Claire was of being found out. Claire being truly Negro had flair, life and color to the life of many. But Irene didn't have that spice because her true essence couldn't create it. Claire committed suicide. Earlier she told Irene that she would rather die than to have to go back to feeling unsafe and living in such an unsafe environment. She missed being who she truly was and that was being free to be herself.
That is exactly what I thought about Irene really being white passing as white. However, they went to school together so I felt that would have known then...maybe..?? But I definitely thought that after during her conversation with Hugh
They weren’t gay nor bisexual. Claire always admire Rene because she was remarkably beautiful & had everything, while living her life as a black woman. Rene was infatuated by Claire because she could pass as a beautiful white woman. They didn’t lust after one another, but they did long for each other’s lifestyle. Clair wanted to be open & free, that’s why she turned white but she later realized she wasn’t free until she was with her people. Rene wanted to be free to roam, & because she was a black mother, she felt grounded. Claire always wanted Rene’s life & was slowly making her way to have it. However, Rene sensing this told Claire’s husband John where to find her. That’s why she asked her what would you do if your husband found out when they were on the stairs. But Claire gave her the wrong answer. She didn’t truly intend to get rid of her by pushing her out the window, but she saw the opportunity and took it.
The finest film of 2021, beautifully acted. The directing and cinematography reinvented how b/w medium can impact storytelling in film.
everyone had a motive at that window. Clare's husband; Irene and Clare herself. the push was a trifecta. The husband had been hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, run amuck. his lunge toward her at the window prompted Irene to make a protective move and Clare - knowing the consequences of her actions - was not going to endure what was to come. All 3 played a part. anyway imo.
Yes, I also think it was her motherly instinct to protect that they were showing throughout the movie come to play again
I agree with everything you said about a bisexual/lovers vibe from the ladies. I also picked up on that the husband was jealous of Irene working for nothing for Hugh and that they may have had a relationship. I also picked up on that their relationship could have been so close because Hugh was also a closet gay.
I think when John lunged for Claire, Irene threw her hand out to appear to protect Claire from John but subconsciously pushed her to end her's and Claire's sufferings and at that moment Claire knew her life was over anyway, therefore, accepting the fall.
I think there was an implied degree of same sex attraction from Irene towards Claire. Otherwise why would she have said “isn’t everyone passing”? When she was talking to the guy at the party and basically told him that Claire wasn’t white and he asked her why she wouldn’t pass herself. What could Irene be passing for other than straight? She was already married to and had children with a black man and she didn’t seem to be into him romantically.
My thoughts exactly!
I saw an interview with the cast that stated the white man at the table was actually gay and Rene knew. That's why she felt comfortable to tell Claire's secret, because she knew it wouldn't go far. You see how the white man was talking about the attractiveness of the darker skin males. He too was passing with a wife for a beard.
@@glowlight69 WOW THANK YOU FOR THAT
@@glowlight69 oh wow really interesting. He didnt want to dance with any of the women at the party. I thought maybe he was a lil racist but that makes so much sence he was Gay. Which is why he was ok with his wife being with other black men. Nice
Yes, the way she grabbed Claire’s hand & when someone walked up Rene dropped Claire’s hand & pulled away. I think Rene was heavily attracted to Clare until she began to envy her.
I also think Irene could comfortably living in her bubble (with avoiding race) because she was light skin and her husband and kids couldn’t because they’re dark skin. I loved that element of the film.
I loved your video💕
I enjoyed your analysis of the movie. I think Clare jumped. Besides her being too calm, the look on face appeared unafraid & certain, as if she already knew what she was going to happen. I noticed that Claire didn't scream or gasp once she fell over. Most people who are unaware that they're going to fall usually make some sort of sound out of surprise. Also Clare landed on her stomach. This would mean she fell facing forward. Most people who fall backwards land either on their backs or their sides. I'm sure Irene contemplated multiple times on how to "get rid of Clare" but I don't think she pushed her.
Your opening questions were my EXACT QUESTIONS🤣
Irene was blocking Clair from the charging of her husband and she fell, lost her balance. I don’t think it was intentional. Clair’s doesn’t talk much about her daughter that was in boarding school.
I agree that she was trying to protect her from her husband. However, in the end, I got the impression that Clair's husband was grief struck by her fall that resulted in her death. His response as she fell was to call out her name as a man that loved her. I believe in that split second as he saw her fall, he forgot she was black and just reacted as someone that loved her.
If we examine closer we will see that she pulled her in front of the window... not away from the window!
@@thesmokingglassliterarybar3006 actually she move her behind her as you would when you protecting someone.
I think the scene of Irene being bumped by Hugh and breaking the tea pot at the house party is foreshadowing. She mentioned that she despised the tea pot and wanted to get rid of it but didn't know how. I think that's the same way she began to despise Clare, secretly loathing, wanting her out of her life. Just like Hugh's accidental bump was the perfect way for her to "innocently" destroy this tea pot ridding her of it, so was Clare's husband's surprise appearance at the party. Irene is passive aggressive and spiteful, as we see in many of her personal interactions. Always wanting to keep up appearances.
I don't think she forceable pushed her but she didn't grab for her either to secure her, nor did she attempt to push/get the husband away from Clare, though she knew she was vulnerable. She put her arm up and allowed someone else to use it to destroy.
I enjoyed the movie and the fact that it explored different layers of passing which was also articulated in the book. I lean into well written slow burn dramas. Especially ones with a historical bend which this was. As for the casting the Director said that she chose actresses that looked black enough that the audience could see their blackness even though the white world they existed in did not.
As for Claire, I thought she was trying to high jack Irene's life and Irene was struggling with what her definition of happiness is. Like one of the other commentors said. Everybody was passing.
Another note on the dynamic between Irene and Claire. In the book Claire came from a good stable family and Claire came from a unstable home where were mother died when she was younf and her father was an alcoholic. Irene is a year or two older than Claire. Claire seems to look up to her and what she has and the fact that she doesn't have to hide her identity. When they reunited Irene's life as a black woman has continued whereas Claire had to "give up" her blackness when she got married. I believe that is why she "thought " about Irene over the years. She and her family represented one aspect of the happiest she craved. By the time the story begins I since that Claire is tired of the facade and is looking at an exot strategy.
The ending had me confused as well both in the film and the book. The book also made it seem that she may have allowed herself to fall out of the window because she was tired of the facade. May have read too much into it but, for me, sometimes good book and movie allows you to leave with your own interpretation of the ending. Great discussion will be hitting like and subscribe.
I agree about the ending. I think the book was purposefully ambiguous about the fall which I think was just right. None of the characters probably even know what was true in that moment.
Excellent breakdown. I saw the possible lesbian “passing” theme, as well as the color passing theme. I plan to watch this movie again to see if there are things I missed. You always get a deeper understanding the second time around. I read the book a few years ago and now I see that I need to reread it. The author was truly gifted and wrote a complex novel that I didn’t fully understand the first time around. Kudos to the movie director who was also the screenwriter. Rebecca Hall did an excellent job on both fronts. This movie deserves to win some awards. 👏🏽💕💕💕
I would encourage everyone to read the book …
I just seen Passing.& checked out a lots of reviews of this film. you really brought up the nuances of this film like the other reviews missed.. Great observations ...! !
I think she was also sad because Clare was getting the privileges that only Irene usually gets in her area. Because Clare seemed whiter than her so I think maybe Irene kinda was able to feel what it’s like to be a darker person for once as well.
I finally watched this. Like you, so many many questions! So many that I have to watch it AGAIN and read the book! I thought it was a gorgeously filmed piece. Much love to NYC!
Rene was passing for somethih she was not. She lied to herself as a human being as far as her real personality was concerned. She married a black man it is true but she was still into classisism, elitism and had a black female maid she exploited as she reproduced the white scheme into her black sphere. In her hypocrisy she acted like Claire committed the worst part because she crossed the racial line and passed for white. However, Claire doesn't hide who she really is and has no problem blending in with the black community and including Renes maid. So, the Claire was eventually much less hypocritical than Rene
Great points !
What other type of maid would she have in nyc of the 1920’s. No white Wonsan even an immigrant would work for them. They where educated and finically well off do of course classism was present
@@remynyc149 no maid at all, I think that’s what she’s saying. A black maid just made it worse but that’s supposed to be symbolic
Out of all the comments I think yours is spot on!! Rene is trying to pass as a proper black woman when deep down she's racist, classiest etc. She's a phony and is jealous of Clare coz deep down she wants to be Clare.
I love your review. I read the book earlier this year and loved it (Tessa Thompson narrated the audiobook beautifully), so I was out of my seat excited to see the movie. I think the answer to your question is ALL of the above. Irene's feelings are so complicated that she doesn't even understand them herself. The movie is true to the book in that all of the complexities are in subtext. The only thing that comes through obviously is that Irene is widely jealous of Clare, her vivacious personality, the fact that she might be having an affair with Irene's husband (and is therefore a threat to Irene's domestic security, whether Irene is in love with her husband or not), the fact that she's walking this dangerous line between two worlds, seemingly without a care. I don't think they had a romance in the past--Irene as a child was rather obsessed with how popular and pretty Clare was, and now has some level of attraction to her, whether it's sexual, or a platonic girl-crush. I can easily identify with that jealousy to the point of obsession.
I also got a sense from the book and movie that Irene herself didn't know for sure whether she'd pushed Clare. I think it's likely a combination of all three happened--Irene's arm hit Clare in a half-formed desire to push her, Clare flinched back from her husband, and Clare, who was deeply unhappy despite her lively front, didn't care whether she lived or died, just let herself fall.
As for whether the two women could really pass, as a white woman, I suspect a lot of us are rather oblivious to things like that (I know things are different now, but when I was growing up, a "color blind" society was what I was taught we were aiming for). I didn't know Ruth Negga's ethnicity until she was cast in Loving. I saw her in World War Z (where she uses a standard British accent) and thought she was Middle Eastern or maybe even Welsh. I would imagine that the sheltered northern white population in 1920s was even more oblivious. Particularly Clare's husband, since he admitted he didn't know any people of color. His knowledge was probably based on awful caricatures like the original Jim Crow and Zip Coon that aren't based at all on reality.
I agree when I went in the military in 1990 someone was asking if the light skinned females in our squadron were black. She had not been around actual light black people and barely any blacks people at all in her town and genuinely did not know. So imagine 1920.
I'm basically the equivalent of Clare's child. My mom passes and was taught to pass by her parents who moved from Texas to Massachusetts in the same way Irene's husband wanted to move to Europe. My dad is not as extreme as Clare's husband but often insists that my mother could only ever be a "very tan White woman" and gets upset at the idea of anything else. So being in that position this movie was very intense. The ways being biracial but White passing causes you to have to make conscious choices. Like at some point you kinda have to choose one or the other it feels. There's a pressure. There is also pressure on who you will marry. If I marry a White man does that mean that I'm rejecting half of myself? I also have stresses about what my children will look like and how safe the world will be for them vs cultural and community belonging. Similar to being pansexual and the choice of who to be with. But just like with my sexuality I'm still mixed race no matter how I dress/act or who I date. I think there's also the story line of the certain types of entitlement and freedom that very White passing people get. Clare can put down her Blackness any time she wants, she's got an incredible amount of privilege. And honestly I think a woman, especially a Black woman wanting things and working hard to get what she wants is already something we judge so harshly, so I don't judge her choices, but it's also true at the same time that she has a lot more privilege and power in many ways. But I also feel like this movie was a good rejection of the promises that White supremacy offers. And I think there is the narrative of people who choose to/can't help passing being exiles of a sort. Betrayers even. What's also interesting is the idea that the one-drop rule and Native American blood quantum are both ideas created by the federal government, intentionally contradictory, because the US needed the unending subjugation of one and the eradication of another. When people do clock me and think I'm Black or Asian it's never ever a question of "how much" it's always about culture or whatever but when I correct them and say I'm Choctaw it immediately flips to be "well how Indian are you really, hmmm?" even when I'm out with my brothers/cousins who also have White fathers and are very dark skinned and can't pass. It's so wild.
I think the reason we don’t know what exactly was bothering Irene is because she as a character did not fully know either. It seemed as if she was breaking down without even realizing. Her life was falling apart, but she couldn’t even stand up for herself or articulate to anyone what she felt.
I'm here from Just My Opinion reviews, and the intro you did for this review had me rolling!
Irene was mad that Clair became the social lite every one loved Clair, I think it was a clue that Irene called Clair husband the same way she told the white man that Clair was passing
I read the book and Irene is not content because she really can’t stand Clare and feels like she losing control of her life (husband, kids, popularity) but at the same time, she is enamored with her!
I don't think that she pushed her. I think that she tried to save Claire. I think Claire committed suicide.
Tbh I don’t think they were lovers or anything. I think Irene was jealous of Clare. And Clare of jealous of Irene. Clare so badly didn’t want to be white anymore and I think she gravitated toward Irene because this was her portal back to her previous life
YES, The gay subtext I'm SO GLAD others caught onto that vibe too!!
I've never had so many questions after watching something, and I like that it leaves a lot up in the air, leaving the interpretation up to the individual. I love the artistic choice to leave it black and white, to really transport you to 100 years ago. There was so much subtext from silence, facial expressions, and frame shots in this film, and I was initially worried it wouldn't make the storyline very full or clear, but I honestly think that's what made it work so well. I didn't expect to enjoy and understand the story so much, despite not having ever lived this experience myself.
I do think because Claire never screamed, that she may have let herself fall on her own volition. She didn't want to go back to that life if she was ever found out, and I think she saw an opportunity and took it. Unfortunately to the outside, it left both her husband and Irene with clear survivor's guilt, as they both felt partially responsible for letting the situation get to where it did.
This was a REALLY good well rounded film.
Lmfaoo “was everybody passing”😂🤦🏾♀️
This was the best review I've seen so far! I love how you went into depth and I haven't heard such good analysis about Irene until now. I didn't understand when I watched the movie for the first time why something seemed off about Irene, but you explained it so well. I agree, I think she took things too personally/ over thought which made her depressed and we can see that expressed through things like the pov and camera angles in small moments like her children being sad that Claire wasn't coming. I wish there was more about Claire and Irene's somewhat sexual relationship, I was so sad when Claire started showing interest in Irene's husband.
Thank You So Much! ❤️💕
You came up in the algorithm for me. I love review/commentary channels. Their don’t seem to be many Black femmes but slowly YT is recommending y’all.
Both women looked Black…only one with blonde wig. Casting was poor, search for women that could actually would have made film better.
The casting was on purpose the director of this film said race was never addressed in her house but her mother looked like a black woman to her, her father is white
@@maryjohnson7121 did she look black to everyone else? Cause Ruth looks black to everyone.
I think Clare was well casted. It was hard to believe Tessa could pass.
I believe they did that on purpose to show what lengths Claire took to pass which is why in the beginning of the movie Irene is surprised and exclaims "Claire?" The blonde wig was used to show how blonde hair dye was invented in those times and it would turn the hair so blonde like platinum blonde how we would later see Marilyn Monroe dye it as well. So, I interpreted that part as maybe Claire had long, dark hair when they grew up together but then, she decided to dye it blonde and make others believe she was naturally light haired. If you see the actress who interprettef her in real life with her real hair, she is actually passing and very ambiguous. Also, no one expected black people to afford hair dye in those times and dare to use it and place themselves amongst white people but it was very bold faced like Claire was.
This film hit me SO hard. I think one of the misconceptions about people like us (ethnic people who can “pass”) is the idea that we have it easier in life because we have the choice and that’s just not true. Yes, I have a choice. My choice is to either ‘pass’ and be socially accepted which makes me a traitor to my people (as some have made abundantly clear to me), OR choose not to pass and be dismissed by my own people anyway for “trying to benefit from the black community” (as some have also made abundantly clear to me). It is not easier being racially ambiguous, it’s just difficult in a different way. I’m never truly accepted anywhere I go. I’m not black enough for the black community and I’m not white enough for the white community. There really is no hard line community for “passers”.
She hella pushed her lol. There was so much room for speculation in that scene I'm assured Irean plotted that entire outcome. It was a familiar location to her and that wasn't the first time she stood in that window 😂 not only did she drop the location to Claire's husband on where to find her but leading up she was even so curious to ask what Claire would do if he found out.
When she responded "I'll just come stay with you" Irean was like yeah its going be a long way down from there.
Her husband was sure his wife was there implying he was tipped off imo
I'm laughing so hard at the intro. 🤣🤣🤣
I asked myself all those questions throughout the whole movie.
I think Rene suffered from depression or some other form of mental illness because she was constantly self-medicating. I think she was trying her best to hold her life together and pass for normal. Clare's presence threatened that. I believe that Rene thought that there was a possibility for her to rekindle a previous relationship with Clare, but that she felt that Clare instead wanted her husband (and that her whole family preferred Clare) which added to her perception of Clare as a threat to her life. I think that Rene meant to push Clair, but I don't think she thought Clare would die or at least she didn't think that through. Then the consequences of her action hit her at once and I think she was genuinely upset.
It’s obvious that Rene was self medicating/ a secret alcoholic. Twice we see her asleep/ passed out in her chair being jarred awake in the late afternoon by the grandfather clock, just in time for the kids to come home.
I think the husband pushed her or Clare jumped…. I think Irene reached for her for the illusion that she was trying to help for her image.. but she really wanted her to fall.
I got suicidal vibes from Claire in harlem in the middle of the street so I was jaw dropped about the window..
But for real, you could say that Irene was jealous of her. She wants to be white and not deal with the horrors of being black. It angers her that Clare can go between worlds. She wanted Clares husband to catch her. When Clare said she’d give up her white life to black it up full time, Irene snapped and Clare took that tumble.
But honestly I think this is the story about a flirt and a confused lesbian
Your last part 😭
@@kaiacane3354 I'm sorry but Irene def wanted to chew the cat. I'm clocking it. Apparently the lesbian undertones are a lot more explicit in the book too
@@Zikomo7 😂....I read the book utterly boring....but your response funny af
Irene is not confused. She's just dishonest and lacks the courage of Claire, the very thing she was falling for
I felt that Clair initially wanted to be around Irene so badly because Irene reminded her of her past, she missed being black. She wanted to feel free to be black for the first time in so long.
I don’t think she pushed her she gave Rene a look and had made up her mind what she planned to do in that moment. I do think she knew Clare would destroy her life after Clare gave her that speech about hurting anyone to get what she wanted. I don’t think her husband was having an affair with Clare, but it could have led to because Clare did want her life,as she missed being around black people and tired of having to pretend. Rene did want the aspect of Clare’s where race wasn’t an issue as she always wanted to play down the reality of life as a black person in America. I plan on reading the book as well.
The book makes things clearer - you’ll probably change your perspective on a few things.
@@lorraineioannou like what?
Interesting. I think Irene pushed that small part of her that was (or was not) Claire, out of the window as easily as she repeatedly pulled her own hat down to have a cup of tea. Irene's hiding a lot from herself and Claire seems very aware of what's at risk. The film makes it look as Claire even passes better than Irene but doesn't delve into the complexities of why Irene is low key passing. I plan to read the book too.
My first thought...she was pushed.
But then there was no scream. No attempt to catch herself or regain any footing.
Irene naturally put her arm up for defense of Claire as a barrier.
Claire's death was a shock & relief to Irene.
Remember Irene told the white man at the charity event when he commented she could pass & asked if she has ever passed. She said we all our passing. She was right and she wasn't referring to the white passing either.
I saw this video pop up on my RUclips homepage despite never seeing the movie. I decided to watch it within the first minute of this review (I am NOT a movie person a rarely watch Netflix). You did a great Breakdown and this was a great movie. Thank you!
Thank You so much! ❤️🥰
This was an excellent review and I've enjoyed your review the best out of others I've seen on RUclips. 🎉
*Disclaimer: Claire isn't perfect at all. I'm just speaking from my interpretation of her side.
This movie was triggering to me because I'm often seen as "Claire" in my friendships. I'm often the charismatic life of the party that attracts lots of people to me. I've been selling cosmetics for almost 20 years. As a result, I am all about glamor in my everyday life and I take pride in always looking my very best. In a way, it looks like I'm "passing" as perfection. I don't mind it because my looks comes with a lot of "privilege".
I often befriended "Irene" who seemed to have it all (loving spouse, kids, house, money, ect.), but couldn't see their own blessings. I admired their freedom of not having to live up to their brand everyday. Like Claire, it was refreshing to live in their world. Unfortunately, they often placed me on a pedestal and had a strange love/hate feeling towards me. "Irene" wants me around, but hates that her family and friends enjoy my company.
Claire looked up to Irene as I have my friends in the past. Irene had the freedom that Claire didn't have, but Irene was too much in her head that she couldn't be present for her spouse, children, & friends. She was so busy watching Claire dance the night away & make connections with people that Irene didn't stop to enjoy herself. Irene failed to water her own grass but marveled at how green Claire's grass seemed. No amount of love from Claire could change that.
It was tragic that Claire died because she was the chosen scapegoat for Irene's insecurities. My former friends felt the need to "break my heart" to fix their lives. Through therapy, I've learned that "life of the party" personality types like Claire should only befriend truly content individuals. Someone who truly love themselves will appreciate having a close bond with a high-vibrational individual.
Fast-forward; I have healthy friendships now and I'm so grateful for them. This movie showed me how much I've grown. Claire should've stayed away after not receiving a letter back from Irene & that reminds me to not force myself in spaces where I'm not welcomed.
Thank you ! 🥰 And I’m glad you identified that much with this story😮 it hard out here to be a Claire!
😳🤔 WOW!!! Your review and self reflection of incorporating your life with this movie is sooo deep and thoughtful!!! Girl your comment really got me thinking if I’ve been a Claire or an Irene myself. Thank you for your transparency!! I’m glad you have healthy friendships now and can view this movie as a lesson for your life. This was one of the best comments I’ve read.💯
@@britte.9271 thank you! I appreciate your kind words and I'm glad that you've found my comment beneficial. 🤗
I’d love to see a film get into the intersectionality of race. Meaning what happens when a woman light enough to pass marries a darker skinned man. That’s a deep topic we don’t dig into.
Finally watched Passing & was looking for a thorough review. Great vid & I’m definitely going to have to follow !
Thank You!
The relationship between Irene and her husband was weird and strained. At one point st one of her parties she said something to her elderly white friend like, "Aren't we all passing?" Also the way that she looked at Claire sometimes was almost like she was in awe of her or sexually attracted to her. I have do many questions about this film.
The one part when she was like "theres more than one way to pass" to that dude AND the very first shot introducing clare is this sexy body shot filmed from irenes point of view
I got Irene in a acting and having a white woman's way..maid, charity work..the way she talked..the maid was sort of her wake up call at moments
So glad you reviewed this so I didn't have to even attempt to watch it . Too many movies these days leave me mentally exhausted.🙁
Ugh, I hated Clare, she was such attention seeking narcissist. Irene didn't even remember who she was at first. Clare pressures her into visiting with her vile husband. Irene ignores her letters, Clare bullies her way into Irene's life. Is clearly after her husband. Muscling herself into Irene's social circle. Everyone just looovvves Clare, only Irene can see that Clare is garbage. Clare was gaslighting everyone around her, in turn everyone was gaslighting Irene.
That was a good review. I’d say your analysis was pretty spot on. Great movie! Really gets us thinking
💯 Irene was passing for a multitude of things
Straight, happy, pro black , not jealous
It’s interesting how the real actress is apart of the community’s, I wonder her take on that because as a bisexual woman who fits this unfortunate European standard of beauty , there were some women who wanted me and wanted to compete with me. I’m just here being happy and free
Totally think she pushed her.
Clare got outted when her husband showed up to that party, she would have rather died than have her husband find out the truth. That's what I got. He was visibility upset and confused at his wife partying with blacks and seeing Irene as well you can tell he was mentally putting the pieces together.
I definitely got a love triangle vibe. I also think Irene was "passing" as "good" and respectable in how others see her. Claire says she (Irene) is so good and that she's not like that but at the very beginning there's a man having some kind of major distress on the sidewalk with passerby's calling for help and a cab and Irene doesn't seem to mind taking the cab! And Claire treats the maid more like a real person than just a servant.
Girl
..I fell off the bed and died laughing. It was the intro for me🤣🤣🤣
Oh my I live for that this was a very relaxed review you should definitely check out some of my other videos😂❤️
This video has been playing for 10 seconds... I'm already loving it! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thank You 😂
I'm a little surprised to see so many comments from people who think that Irene pushed Claire. I don't understand why while watching this movie any of us would have the idea that that woman was a murderer. Pushing her would have made her a murderer. We saw nothing of this woman's personality throughout this entire movie that ever let us in that direction. Has anyone given a thought to the idea that Claire may have actually jumped. The look on her face when her husband looked at her was life-changing for her. It was not one of fear it wasn't of happiness. The man that she knows loved her the father of her child at that very moment knew who and what she was. What he "hated". When she moved from out of camera view and landed on the ground we heard nothing. We didn't hear a scream. When someone pushes you, male or female you're going to make a sound. People who jump don't make a sound. They don't scream in horror. They don't scream trying to save themselves. It was completely silent. And how did Claire's arm push a woman over the banister or out of the window to where everyone else didn't see it. I know we all have different perspectives but this seems very clear to me that Irene absolutely did not push Claire. In my opinion Claire backed out of the window herself. In other words she jumped.
The whole film was passing lol
🤣🤣🤣
Exactly! Found this movie very disturbing and far from realness and actuality!
Yeeeees😩 omg
😂
Yeah, passing off fantasies and foolishness for what they thought was reality. Ain't no way! 🤣🤣🤣🥴🥴🥴
I'm starting to think Irene pushed her, because she put her hands behind her back after the push(like, "oh, shit! What did I do?!?!?"), her husband quickly says Claire's husband did it(after all, he did have motive), and the oddly placed "I love you" at the end when they ugly-cried and embraced....also, he could have been saying "I love you" to either women, honestly....or both simultaneously.....Now Irene gets to pass as an innocent woman.
Both of them was passing, that lady was attracted to her that’s why she was so scared when she first ran into her! Clare wasn’t …Clare realized she don’t have to pass to have a good life that’s why she was pushing up on the husband to steal that women’s life…
Nice, uncomplicated, film that reminds me of the indies of the mid '90s; made me buy the book. I really found the cinematography and location shots fascinating (that Harlem Brownstone was amazing). I don't think in real life neither of the two women could have actually "passed." I hate to disappoint, but I can't tell if she was pushed or fell.
Alexander Skarsgard opposite Zazie Beatz in ATLANTA and then Mr. Skarsgard and Ms. Negga in Passing. What's going on here? Is he trying to tell us something?
Interesting side note: Andre Holland plays a doctor in Passing and the "Knick" - and he's great in both. Truly underrated actor.
Irene was all over the damn place. I'm like girl do you feel some type of way or not??
That intro beat is 🔥🔥🔥
Your intro is hella funny and relatable..Hunnee, the first time I read the book in college I found it so boring I got cliff notes so I really forgot all about it but uh..I was watching it by myself at first...and I seriously started to give the wall in front of me the siDe 👀.....
There’s a book set in Harlem in the 1930’s about 3 sisters ( one who “passed “ )called ‘No Easy Place to be’ it was a better story.
I'll check the book out. Thanks.
@Michelle Crisp YES, YES this book is excellent! I read it in one sitting! You will be on edge by the end of the book waiting for the climax!
There were many layers to this film. It was definitely poetry in movement.
Everyone in the movie was passing for something...even the kids lol
Not the babies ! 🤣
Yeah remember when David said to the older son ..seems we can't talk about lynching and such without upsetting the women in our family ...and looked over at Irene and the other son( that loved Clare because she looked like a princess ) I was like who is the other...and then I was like awwww okay! Lol